Censer

Censer, a vessel for burning incense used in ancient times by Pagans, and by the Hebrews in the service of the Temple, and in the Christian Church. The present form of censer used in churches is a kind of vase suspended by chains for convenience of swinging, and so diffusing the fragrance of the incense, which is scattered upon live charcoal in the vase, and covered by a perforated lid to prevent the burning substances from falling out.